Rape: Nasarawa Govt. sensitises stakeholders to expose perpetrators

The Nasarawa State Government says it has started sensitising stakeholders across the state to expose  perpetrators of rape in their communities.

Hajiya Aisha Rufai-Ibrahim, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development made this known in Lafia on Wednesday at a news conference ahead of 2022 Children’s Day celebration.

Rufai-Ibrahim, said that the ministry was sensitising traditional and religion leaders among other stakeholders to protect children for the survival and continuity of humanity.

She said that adults have a duty and responsibility to protect children, provide their welfare and developmental needs.

According to her, this will ensure that the children grow up to be useful, productive and responsible adults and leaders of the future.

She advised the families of rape victims to always speak out, to enable the government arrest and punish the perpetrators.

The commissioner said that the refusal of rape victims and their families to report cases to authority was seriously affecting the fight to end the menace and punish perpetrators.

”Available records reveals that most of the families of rape victims often choose not to co-operate with the prosecution of these cases due to fear of stigma and discrimination.

“It is unfortunate that we also have a significant number of out of school children for reasons associated with street hawking, early marriage and child labour that affected the wellbeing, growth and development of the child,” she said.

On influx of Almajirai into the state,   Rufai-Ibrahim said that the issue was of great concern to the government and that it had done a lot of advocacy to address cases of  out – of – school children.

“The state government is keying into a programme called ‘At Risk Children Programme’  that addresses the situation of the vulnerable children,  the out-of-school children and those that are out of family care who do not have formal education.

“We also have a lot of cases of trafficking in the state but some are not reported for fear of stigmatisation and discrimination,” she said.

On the activities lined up to commemorate the 2022 Children’s Day celebration, the commissioner said that special prayers had been offered for the children on May 20 and May 22 at various worship centres.

She added that the celebration would come to a climax on Friday with the wife of the governor, Silifat Abdullahi hosting a party for the children. (NAN)